(ODON) - An interest in fantasy and helping young people navigate life's problems led Odon resident Timothy Scott to write a series of fantasy novels, the first of which has been published and is now on sale.

"It just became available on Amazon today," Scott said on Tuesday, adding it also can be ordered through any bookstore.

Andrea McCann of the Washington Times-Herald reports that Scott will be at Touch of Heaven, 425 E. Main St., in Washington, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday to sign copies of the book, which targets young adults from their teens into their 30s. The 300-page novel is his first writing effort and first in a series of six picked up by Tate Publishing of Oklahoma City.

Titled "Misfits, Debtors, Drunkards & Thieves," Scott said the book follows a mix of folks who got into trouble on their own, were led into trouble by peers, or were falsely accused. They're given a second chance to straighten out their lives by being sent off on a dangerous mission to take out some goblin raiders. He said they have to learn to work together, deal with their issues and overcome obstacles.

"They're all stuck in the same place now and have to figure out how to move forward," he explained.

An engineer by trade, Scott works at NAVSEA Crane on the launching system of U.S. submarine-based ballistic missiles. But he's also been working with teenagers at his church for 25 years. They and their problems were his inspiration for the books.

"Regardless of where life's troubles come from, they change who we are and how we view ourselves and the people around us," Scott said. "If we allow it to change us in the wrong way, it will lead us into more trouble.

"That is exactly what happened to the characters in my novel. They are people whose troubles have left them without hope, but now they have a chance to fight their way back. The only problem is they have to overcome their past, beat their habits, and learn to trust and cooperate with people whose past is as troubled as their own - or die.

"Sometimes it takes a crisis to get us to turn our lives around. The transformation is slow and sometimes painful, but the characters begin to learn that surviving life's troubles can teach us patience, and patience can give us the experience to better face the future. And with experience comes hope, and if we can keep hope alive we won't be disappointed."

Scott said today's youth have more problems than ever before. He said teaching teenagers showed him that their problems are the biggest crises they've ever faced, regardless of how serious they might seem to adults.

Though the author said most fantasy literature ignores the consequences of the characters' actions, something he disapproves of, he's always enjoyed fantasy and collects armor and swords. The fantasy genre seemed to be the right fit for his message -- with the addition of consequences being addressed by his characters.

Scott said it took long time, and there were a lot of disappointments, before his books caught the attention of a publisher. While promoting "Misfits, Debtors, Drunkards & Thieves," he's fine-tuning the second in the series to go to the publisher.

Even though his publisher is committed to publishing Scott's entire series, he said his writing avocation won't soon become his vocation.

"It's never too late to start a new career, but I'll continue at Crane," he said. "I'm hoping (writing) will be my retirement job."

Originally from Jackson County, Scott graduated from Seymour High School in 1979 and Purdue University in 1985. He's lived in Odon since and is married to the former Vickie Bell. They have two children, Alicia, 20, and Darin, 18. He enjoys making witness trips and is preparing to help work on a college in Manila, Philippines.